Posted February 27, 2013

Ronda Rousey Wins First UFC Women’s Title Fight, Commands Attention Of Social Media

Armbar specialist wins by first-round armbar submission

Ronda Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche by armbar submission in the first round of Saturday’s UFC 157 headliner, the first women’s fight in the promotion’s 20-year history. With the win, Rousey defended the UFC women’s bantamweight title she’d been given upon signing with the UFC in December.

@ZProphet_MMA

The 26-year-old Rousey improved to 7-0 as a professional mixed martial artist — with all seven wins coming in the first round by armbar. This, however, was her toughest challenge. Carmouche, a 7-to-1 underdog, pulled Rousey into the deepest waters of her career with a rear naked choke midway through the first round, yet the Santa Monica native came through with flair. (You can watch the entire fight here.)

The history-making event proved massive on social media all night, outtrending the Daytona crash both domestically and worldwide in the hours before the fight telecast even began and drawing the attention of several athlete, celebrities and media types.

Rousey, Machida, Faber(I hope). #ufc157 #picks—
Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) February 24, 2013

Wow. Carmouche almost got out of it. That arm bar is no joke—
Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) February 24, 2013

How are these two the same weight? Rousey looks like a grown up. #ufc157—
Jay Mohr (@jaymohr37) February 24, 2013

.@NancyLieberman rousey!—
Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) February 24, 2013

And that is what im talking about!!! Huge step for WOMANkind! #fb #hero!!!!—
Hope Solo (@hopesolo) February 24, 2013

Short but explosive. A GREAT fight. 2 women the main @ufc event. #History. Great fight, great night. #bitchesrule #ufc157 Thanks @danawhite!—
Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) February 24, 2013

GREAT FIGHT!!! Liz Carnouche gives @RondaRousey toughest fight yet.cranking rouseys face at 1-pt..defended arm bar nice..4 a while..
Then…—
Stuart Scott (@StuartScott) February 24, 2013